Gemotions

The tropical breeze rustling through the palm trees felt thick and suffocating to Chloe. This vacation with “Tom” was meant to be romantic, but a sense of unease settled over her. His stories, the details about his "best friends" and their shared adventures, were identical to stories she'd heard from another man. She found herself checking his texts without his permission, her heart hammering against her ribs.

He was in the ocean, and the sun was setting. She had been taking photos, but she put her camera down. The silence was deafening. He came toward her, and she suddenly couldn't breathe. The air felt thin. She backed away, then turned and ran.